Gaba tea - what is it: effect, properties and brewing methods

Author: Julia Kopylova , tea expert.

Tea varieties sourced from Eastern countries tend to have a long history shrouded in myth and legend.

However, not all unique drinks need to have an impressive background to earn popularity on the continent.

An example of the successful use of modern technologies for processing tea leaf, which provide not only the taste of raw materials, but also its positive effect on the general condition of the human body, is the red Taiwanese tea Gaba Alishan & mdash; oolong, whose effect and beneficial properties are known worldwide today.

History

The birthplace of the Qing Xin plant, which is the basis for the manufacture of tea material & mdash; Taiwan Island, or rather & mdash; Taipei and Nantou provinces, where high-altitude plantations are located, located at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level.

Local climatic conditions are perfectly suitable for growing tea bushes, the leaves of which are dense and ideal for the production of oolong.

Air humidity, mountainous terrain, fertile soil & mdash; factors that make it possible to harvest up to four times a year. The culture is demanding on care and processing, but instead allows you to get fragrant leaves.

It is from such leaves during special treatment, including in a vacuum centrifuge, where, thanks to anaerobic fermentation technology, GABA & mdash is formed in tea; gamma-aminobutyric acid-Gaba.

It was this feature that formed the basis of a unique development carried out in the 80s of the last century.

GABA acid is very difficult to obtain in pure form. Over the years, China has been looking for an ideal tea fermentation technology that would keep the maximum amount of amino acids in tea leaves without spoiling the taste of the final product.

This was not done the first time. At a certain point, the tea that is fermented is placed in a special container, to which oxygen access is blocked. & nbsp; Nitrogen is added to the container, which causes the fermentation process to stop.

This is the way to keep GABA in tea at maximum concentration, while maintaining the exquisite taste of tea after cooking.

First appearance

Contrary to expectations, the new tea processing technique was created and first tested in Japan.

In 1984, a team of scientists, led by Professor Tsushida, began experiments based on an original fermentation concept that could increase the amount of useful trace elements contained in leaves.

The elimination of air access during maturation made it possible to almost completely convert natural glutamic acid, while maintaining the concentration of other components.

Studies on gaba tea

According to the data obtained during the study of the finished product, it turned out that the variety of oolong under consideration has a positive effect on the human body, helping to reduce stress.

The gamma-aminobutyric acid element acting as a brain neurotransmitter creates the relaxation effect necessary to maintain tone.

GABA – it is an organic compound that is a neurotransmitter of the human CNS.

Aminobutyric acid is directly involved in metabolic processes in the brain, accelerates brain activity and acts as a neurotransmitter.

In simple terms, GABA tea stimulates brain activity, improves memory and attention. It should be chosen by those who work wisely, have to absorb a lot of information, or are subject to constant nervous tension.

This is due to the popularity that the drink quickly gained among businessmen and top managers who, on duty, were forced to regularly process and be in constant mental and nervous tension.

Manufacturing technology

At the initial stage of processing, tea leaves collected from the top of trees are dried in the sun.

As the required condition is reached, the raw materials are transferred to metal containers, from which air is pumped out.

The absence of contact with oxygen during fermentation allows the conversion of glutamine. The cycle time is about 24 hours, after which the material is twisted and packed.

Taiwan and Worldwide Manufacturing

It is curious that initially the variety was made and used only in Japanese territory, where raw materials were supplied from Taiwanese lands.

The transfer of production facilities directly to plantations, which took place only in the early 90s, allowed to improve technology and improve taste.

In the first decade of the 21st century, oolong production lines also appeared in other Asian countries and today most of the exports on the market are Chinese Gaba tea.

Description

Externally, GABA looks like an ordinary light oolong: the shape resembles a twisted uneven ball, having a floral tint of aroma and taste, as well as a thin honey tone.

The shades of the prepared infusion range from light amber to golden.

Main defining criteria & mdash; location of origin, type of sheeting, and grade of starting material.

Variety of Gaba tea

The classification of a drink has many options. & nbsp; The criteria are varietal features, region of growth and production.

The most striking differences between tea & ndash; according to the degree of fermentation of the tea leaf.

It is well known to divide the oolong into two categories: light and dark. And since Gaba belongs to ulunas, the same types are distinguished among its varieties.

The former are characterized by a light infusion and gentle herbality with floweriness in aroma and taste with a slight sweetness, while the dark ones are characterized by honey-fruit shades.

In & nbsp; & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; You can choose the right variety for you and order not only Gaba, but also other types of tea.

When assembled

The production uses plants cultivated on plantations in mountainous areas, which are characterized by morning fogs, clear sunny days, as well as free access to the purest spring water.

Under such conditions, the leaves gain volume and juiciness, while remaining quite soft inside.

The shading required for future fermentation is provided in the ten-day period prior to the first manual harvest, usually occurring in April.

There are up to four cycles per year, the last of which ends in December, but spring varieties are considered the most useful and bright, due to the youth and freshness of the shoots used.

Description of the composition of Gaba tea

One of the factors that determines the popularity of a product developed by Japanese specialists is the concentration of useful trace elements and organic compounds.

The components that are significant in terms of creating a positive effect from consumption are presented in the table below.

And yet, if we talk about what is Gaba tea & mdash; it is primarily a source of gamma-aminobutyric acid. It contains from 150 to 300 mg of GABA per 100 grams of drink.

Useful properties

Given these characteristics, the drink can be recommended for consumption by people whose lifestyle involves regular mental stress, stressful situations or overwork.

Taiwanese oolong is suitable for both seniors and students, and of course for managers and anyone with an active stress-related work life.

The influence of the components included in allows:

• Normalize blood supply to the brain and metabolic cycles.
• Improve mood and physical tone.
• Restore biological rhythms.

Of course, no infusion can be considered as a purely medicinal product, a couple of cups of which will eliminate all problems with well-being.

However, the natural components retained in the leaves even after anaerobic fermentation guarantee a positive effect & mdash; subject to reasonable consumption.

Harm and contraindications

It is important to understand that this is not a classic tea culture, so before drinking Gaba tea, you should decide on the optimal dosage.

Tea abuse can lead to negative symptoms: shortness of breath, palpitations, anxiety, tremors in the limbs, and so on.

Caution is medically recommended for those diagnosed with decompensated diabetes, renal failure, and other chronic conditions.

Gaba Alishan oolong: how to make tea properly

The choice of method depends on the chosen variety, which is determined by different fermentation technologies.

However, in any case, the first spill is considered a prerequisite, with the help of which dust and possible pollution are removed.

After that, you can proceed to full brewing & ndash; as for most ulunas, GABAs provide for the use of water with a temperature not exceeding 85-90 degrees.

Maintain the infusion, depending on the product, for 4-5 minutes, with each subsequent brewing increasing the waiting period by 60 seconds.

Preparation methods: multiple infusion

A method familiar to those who have taken part in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies at least once.

It's simple. A large portion of tea is put into a container of small capacity, which is brewed again after each bottling & mdash; for 6-7 times.

A distinctive feature of this approach is & mdash; obtaining slightly different taste characteristics, which is caused by different intensity of microelements and aromatic substances contained in the leaf structure.

Kettle brewing

Ordinary brewing utensils, once an integral part of the kitchen interior, can still serve their owners well today.

However, for those who want to get the best experience from the infusion, it is recommended to choose clay, porcelain or glass products that maintain temperature.

Standard proportions & mdash; about five grams of brew per 150 ml of liquid.

Preparation in Guyvan

A small cup with a lid, usually served on a saucer table, essentially replaces the usual kettle option.

The peculiar shape leads to a special approach to the spilling of infusion by pials, which requires a certain practice.

When choosing the appropriate option, it is worth considering the dimensions and capacity that determine its weight when filled. Otherwise, & mdash; the method of preparing Gaba tea remains unchanged.

Brewing in type, flask and analogues

Modern tea utensils with compact dimensions and ease of use.

The design is not particularly complicated & mdash; inside a glass or metal vessel there is a smaller tank equipped with a sieve and an opening mechanism.

On the kettle lid & mdash; a button that activates the valve and allows infusion to flow from one container to another.

European practice

Prolonged infusion & mdash; traditionally a continental method involving the production of a drink by pouring 2-3 grams of leaves with a volume of water of 200-250 ml, cooled after boiling to 85-90 & deg; C.

The composition should be aged for up to five minutes, then it is poured into cups or bowls.

The final taste is rich, but hides subtle nuances and hues, interrupted by tartness and brighter tones.

Usage Guidelines

The benefits of Gaba tea for men and women are only shown when reasonable frequencies and volumes are met.

The norm is one or two cups per day, in pure form, without the addition of sweeteners or milk.

Excessive regular intake of trace elements, which are also produced during the functioning of internal systems, can cause a decrease in the intensity of production, which negatively affects the general well-being.

Storage considerations

Dark and dry place, protected from direct contact with sunlight and providing a stable temperature regime & mdash; the best option.

Considering the ability of tea raw materials to absorb ambient odors, it is recommended to keep them separate from acutely smelling foods, spices and spices.

Common Gaba tea myths

In terms of the number of stories and urban legends surrounding it, the variety in question is & mdash; despite its relative youth & mdash; will not yield to ancient Chinese drinks.

However, most of them do not correspond to the truth and only create an additional aura of mystery that attracts the attention of ordinary people.

There is only Gaba Alishan, and everything else is fake

This popular belief is due to a lack of information at first, when the drink had just begun its export expansion.

In Taiwanese culture, it is customary to compose the name of the finished product from the designations of the region of growth, plant variety, as well as processing methods.

Initially, only the title variant was shipped to Europe, which led to the formation of an erroneous theory.

Gaba has a special effect on consciousness

A myth that partly casts a shadow over the reputation of harmless tea.

The content in the composition of gamma-aminobutyric acids, of course, creates a relaxation effect & mdash; however, this applies to most original tea drinks.

You can get drunk from oolong

No more than kefir. Legends about drug exposure, the origins of which were largely the works of domestic rap artists, have nothing to do with reality.

Infusion cures mental illness

Not again, although it might be nice.

No research supports this theory.

For treatment, you should seek help from doctors, while tea & mdash; just a natural product to help you relax after a hard day's work.

The original drink should be very expensive & mdash; or vice versa

Production costs depend on many factors & mdash; from the raw material used and the fermentation method to the brand of the manufacturer.

There are a variety of types on the market that can be tailored to suit every budget.

Let's summarize

Gaba tea has a special place in the list of popular cultures used to make delicious and aromatic infusions.

Working directly with suppliers from around the world, & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; offers real GABA tea from 100 g.

В каталоге «РЧК» You can find a variety of eastern oolong varieties that guarantee a pleasant and healthy tea party.